Cubs beat Dodgers 8-2, ending LA's streak at 6

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By Beth HarrisThe Associated Press

The State Journal-Register

By Beth HarrisThe Associated Press

Posted Aug. 2, 2014 at 12:41 AM

By Beth HarrisThe Associated Press

Posted Aug. 2, 2014 at 12:41 AM

LOS ANGELES -- Kyle Hendricks scattered four hits over seven innings, Starlin Castro had three hits and scored three runs, and the Chicago Cubs beat Los Angeles 8-2 on Friday night, snapping the Dodgers' six-game winning streak. Making his fourth major league start after being called up from Triple-A, Hendricks (2-1) allowed one earned run, struck out three and walked one in his return to Dodger Stadium, where he pitched in high school. The rookie had two of Chicago's 13 hits.

Ryan Sweeney had two hits and scored twice, and Luis Valbuena homered and drove in two runs for the last-place Cubs, who have won four of their last five.

Dan Haren's woes followed him into a new month. He is in the midst of a career-worst five-game skid, having lost all four of his starts in July. The right-hander (8-9) gave up seven runs - six earned - and eight hits in 4 1-3 innings, struck out three and walked two.

The Cubs scored three runs in the third for a 4-1 lead and another three in the fifth to make it 7-1.

The wildest play of the game occurred in the sixth. It began when Hanley Ramirez grounded into a fielder's choice to third baseman Valbuena, who forced Scott Van Slyke at second.

Second baseman Arismendy Alcantara tried to complete the double play, but Ramirez got to first in time, forcing Anthony Rizzo to fire to the plate. Yasiel Puig, who was on second, had started home on the throw to first.

Puig slid home, where catcher Wellington Castillo was fully sprawled on the ground. Puig reached to tag the plate with his left hand while keeping his right hand away from Castillo's outstretched glove in a cat-and-mouse game. Puig was called safe, which the Cubs challenged. There was a 4-minute review before the call was upheld and the Dodgers trailed 8-2.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Cubs: Left-hander Felix Doubront was added to the roster and placed on the 15-day DL with a strained left calf. He was acquired on Wednesday from Boston for a player to be named. He is 26-22 with a 4.82 ERA and three saves in 98 appearances in the last five years with the Red Sox.

Dodgers: First baseman Adrian Gonzalez left the game in the third with a right knee contusion. Puig was taken out for precautionary reasons with mild left hamstring soreness in the seventh.

ON DECK

Cubs: Tsuyoshi Wada (1-1, 3.38) takes the mound for his fourth major league start. The left-hander has struck out 13 and walked six while holding the opposition to a .254 average in his first three starts. He had Tommy John surgery two years ago, when he was in Baltimore's farm system.

Page 2 of 2 - Dodgers: Hyun-Jin Ryu (12-5, 3.44) starts against the Cubs for just the second time in his career. The left-hander has won three consecutive starts since July 13, going 3-0 with a 2.37 ERA. Ryu has limited opponents to a .186 batting average while striking out 22 and walking two in that span.